Wakefield Prison nurse guilty of sex with rapist

A PRISON nurse has been found guilty of having consensual sex with a convicted rapist at HMP Wakefield.

Karen Cosford, 47, of Marston Walk, Altofts, was also found guilty of failing to report to her bosses that lifer Brian McBride had a phone and to have topped up his phone credits.

She claimed she was raped by McBride but the prosecution maintained she was a willing participant.

Co-accused Carolyn Falloon, 50, of Manor Road, Walton, was also found guilty yesterday afternoon of failing to disclose Cosford’s relationship with McBride at the high security prison on Love Lane.

The jury also convicted her of failing to report the phone to her bosses and topping up the phone’s credit.

Jacqueline Flynn, 46, of The Leys, South Kirby – their colleague in the health centre – was also found guilty of failing to report Cosford’s sexual relationship with McBride and that he had a phone.

Prosecutor Richard Wright told the jury on Monday: “We invite you to conclude there was wilful misconduct. They did it deliberately, it was wrong and they knew it was wrong. Wrong to ignore the rules, safety and security of Wakefield (Jail). Wrong to pursue some sort of corrupt and grubby relationship with a serving prisoner.”

Mr Wright asked the jury to consider whether the defendants had done it in hope of a pay day from a man they believed was a “millionaire”.

The jury previously heard McBride portrayed himself as a man of significant wealth outside of prison.

But they also heard McBride was an accomplished liar.

The jury was also told that Kevin Wilson, 56, of St Michael’s Green, Normanton, who gave evidence at the four-week long trial, had pleaded guilty to three charges of misconduct before the trial began.

But fellow nurse David Sunderland, 49, of Millcroft, Lofthouse, who denied knowing about the phone, was cleared by the jury of misconduct in a public office.

Cosford and Falloon were in tears as the jury of seven men and four women handed down the verdicts at Leeds Crown Court after nearly a day of deliberation.

The guilty defendants were bailed to attend sentencing at Bradford Crown Court on Monday.

Andrew Stubbs QC, for Cosford, told the judge: “We are aware of the inevitable sentence and will address you on length. We don’t ask for reports.”